<p>I have a pair of Salomon shoes (not boots) and they’re very comfortable. They have larger sizes in womens. Didn’t really need to break them in and they’re fine for most of the hiking we do. Now if you’re doing strenuous, really rocky hiking, you do need good ankle support and boots would be better. I see that REI has a few pairs of sale for between $60-70…well worth it. </p>
<p>Good luck to you and have fun in Costa Rica. I would LOVE to go there sometime.</p>
<p>I just bought a pair of hiking boots at REI yesterday. I tried on both the Merrells and the Keens and bought the Merrells for $99. It was important to me that they be waterproof and the Merrells were Goretex. The ultimate test was that the salesman had me trek up and down the staircase checking to see if my heels slipped in either boot. There was a huge difference between the two and it made my decision easy.</p>
<p>The salesman’s last piece of advice would seem particularly important for you. He said that waterproof boots are also waterproof on the inside so you should never wear cotton socks with them because if you sweat, they will stay wet and give you blisters. He said only wear synthetic or wool socks. I already have lots of thick wool socks so I bought some polypropylene sock liners to go inside them.</p>
<p>Incidentally, I am the bargain queen and rarely buy anything at full price. I made an exception for these boots because there is nothing more important to me than comfortable feet when I’m hiking all day and I kept my last pair of boots for more than 10 years.</p>
<p>REI’s it is then. I’ll check them out tomorrow on my way home from my LAST final :D.
EDIT: I found an REI store. It’s less than a mile from my house! How have I not heard of this place?</p>
<p>Got a pair of rain boots at Target today. A half size too small, but they’ll do if I can’t find better ones. They were only $25. </p>
<p>Oh and Dick’s was a total bust. The largest hiking boots/shoes that they had for women was a size 9. A size 9! They’re supposed to cater towards athletes. Most female athletes do not have size 9 feet! -.-
I was so angry.</p>
<p>Please, please, please return the boots that are too small for you! These are more expensive than the ones you got, but Zappos ships for free (and no sales tax in many states), and they are available in sizes 10 and 11 women’s:</p>
<p>[Kamik</a> Heidi at Zappos.com](<a href=“Kamik heidi black kamik + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com”>Kamik heidi black + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com)</p>
<p>Also, check the other ones on their site. Just search for “rain boots”.</p>
<p>Agree with BB to return the rain boots. When you walk, your toes will jam against the end, and you will end up with VERY sore and bruised toes.</p>
<p>I bought my D those Kamik Heidi’s at Zappo’s for Easter (It was so rainy this year on the east coast!). She had me take back the one’s from Target because there were lots of bad reviews of those rain boot’s (apparently they tend to leak).</p>
<p>I think she likes the kamik’s. I haven’t heard otherwise but they are boots to wear to class, not to hike in. Go to REI. I love the salespeople there, they are so knowledgeable.</p>
<p>I recommended Target rain boots - but don’t get them a half size small. Rain boots tend not to stretch to become a bit more comfortable.</p>
<p>Re the Target rain boots leaking though: maybe my daughter and I have just been lucky but we both have Target rain boots (over a year now) and have had no problem. Between the two of us we have four pair - two different styles.</p>
<p>do you really need rainboots for Costa Rica?
I don’t have rain boots and I live in Seattle and am a landscaper ( I do have muck boots for mud however)
I do not think it is so cold there.
Why not just get shoes that can get wet?
Keens are made for getting wet- but can run wide-
My hiking/work timberland boots also can get wet.
If you are going to be doing work in the water, as my D did when she was there rescuing sea turtle nests, you need a shoe that will stay on and has good traction
look at Chaco sandals ( rei sells them)
You can even use some of the Chacos for hiking.</p>
<p>For all of the shoes you mention, I’d go and try them on and then go online and see if you can find the same shoe for less at Zappos or Amazon. If you haven’t purchased shoes in a while, it’s good to verify your size/fit. I’d go to and REI or EMS or another type of outdoor store where you could find all of those shoes.</p>
<p>If you are planning on doing any rafting or walking through water bring a sandal that has a back strap. Chacos are expensive but they will last you. I have a pair of Teva sandals that I bought at least 15 yrs ago. I don’t wear them often but always take them traveling when we are going to a wet location. We sail and they are great for going to land. No fear of losing your sandal when you are getting in and out of the dingy. Same with river rafting. I like Chacos because while they are a sandal they have great arch support.</p>
<p>@ BunsenBurner- I should elaborate. They did fit, I would just have preferred them a size larger. I got the largest ones they made. I cannot order shoes online- I leave Sunday. </p>
<p>@ignatius- Biggest size they have is 10. I am a 10.5</p>
<p>@emeraldkity4- I wish I could post youtube links on here. The placement camp I am going to up in the mountains is surrounded by rivers. Since we are building houses and need to go to the other side of the ~2-3 feet deep river in order to get the wood, yes the rain boots are a must. Plus, I’m going during the rainy season and I’ll be up in the cloud forest half the time. </p>
<p>I am going to keep them as a just in case pair. If I cannot find anything else then I will take them just in case. They fit my mom so it’s not as though they’ll go to waste. If I find something better or more comfortable, I will get them and return the Target boots.</p>